'Canes ready for Va. Tech QBs ... whoever it is

Made it back to sunny South Florida today, accompanied with a head cold from my trip to the freezing Midwest. Weather here was a breath of fresh air, and I'm putting my heavy coat away for a couple of weeks, at least until the 'Canes play at North Carolina State at the end of the month.

One of the key questions for this week's game against Virginia Tech is the Hokies qu arterback. Will it be Tyrod Taylor? Will it be Sean Glennon? Or will it be, as expected, both? Taylor and Glennon have been dealing with ankle injuries the last few weeks. Glennon played in last week's victory against Maryland, while Taylor is still recovering. He is expected to be healthy, although coach Frank Beamer is keepings things real quiet.

The 'Canes will likely be in the dark until game day, something they have already experienced twice this year (Texas A & M and North Carolina). The one advantage for UM is the defense sees a similar situation every day in practice. The players face Robert Marve and Jacory Harris, so they are more than prepared for it.

"I think we do that enough in practice with Marve and Jacory," cornerback Chavez Grant said. "I think it's pretty much the same thing."

A few thoughts:

-Coach Randy Shannon said tackle Jason Fox practiced a little, but it's becoming more likely he won't play. If he does, it probably won't be much. That means junior Matt Pipho will see an expanded role. Pipho estimates he's only played 25 snaps in his career, but is ready for the challenge. He is likely to back up starters Reggie Youngblood and Chris Rutledge.

Pipho is still adjusting to playing tackle. He was mostly used at guard the last two years. He said the biggest difference is becoming accustomed to facing quick 230-pounders instead of the slower 300-pounders. But don't expect Pipho to be surprised much. He's received all the reps needed when facing sparkplug Adewale Ojomo in practice.

-Speaking of Marve and Jacory (yes, no one calls Harris by his last name), both are in the process of changing their physical appearance. Neither has shaved in a while. Marve has let his hair grow, prompting Harris to say he needs to visit the barber. Harris said he is growing the beard because he wants to look older. In his words, he's going for that Rick Ross look.